Connect your Linux machine to a VPN Gateway using strongSwan
In this blog post I’ll show you how to connect your local machine to a remote VPN server using the IKEv2 and IPSec protocol. Instead of the deprecated
ipsec.conf
we’ll use the modern swanctl.conf
.(I think) it has to do with the iOS version using the IKEv2/IPsec protocol. If you use the Mac App Store version of NordVPN, you'll also be limited, as it uses the same protocol. There is a workaround through the OpenVPN app. NordVPN uses NordLynx (an implementation of WireGuard) by default in its Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows apps. OpenVPN is also available on all those platforms as a backup. IKEv2 is available for. If you use OpenVPN connection setup on device, you should try / IPSec on iOS. NordVPN Support Occasionally, How to connect to IPSec on iOS ( IKEv2, Installing the NordVPN with IKEv2 / app on your iOS use NordLynx (WireGuard) on NordVPN iOS app and on iPad / iPhone app automatically redirect me. For iOS on the Mac. IKEv2 has been around for much longer and is well audited, Wireguard (Nordlynx) is very new and still under development. While no one has found any major flaws with Wireguard I’ll stick with IKEv2 for now until wireguard is completed and fully audited. NordVPN secures your iPhone data with next-generation encryption complemented with top-notch VPN protocols – NordLynx based on Wireguard and IKEv2/IPsec. AS EASY AS 1-2-3 Download, login, and connect – that’s it! With NordVPN, one tap is enough to encrypt your whole traffic.
Why IPSec/IKEv2?⌗
IKEv2 offers high speed and good data security with a stable connection. The protocol is one of the best.
strongSwan provides an open-source implementation of IPSec. strongSwan works on Linux, Android, FrreBSD, macOS, iOs, and Windows.
The tool natively supports forwarding and split-tunneling, thus enabling you to selectively route your traffic through the VPN connection.
Why is that useful?
With split-tunneling you can exclude your local subnets (your home network, or local Docker bridge) from the VPN gateway.
Now you can connect your local machine to the VPN server, but still have access to your wifi-connected printer.
With split-tunneling you can exclude your local subnets (your home network, or local Docker bridge) from the VPN gateway.
Now you can connect your local machine to the VPN server, but still have access to your wifi-connected printer.
1. Installation⌗
Usually, the Arch wiki is a mine of gold. Unfortunately, the wiki solely describes how to setup a connection with ipsec.conf and ipsec starter.
The newly available swanctl and vici plugin provide a better experience in combination with systemd and strongSwan’s plugins.
In this article, I’ll show you a sample
ipsec.conf
with pre-shared keys (EAP), and how to migrate the configuration to swanctl.We’ll assume that you have access to a remote VPN server, either your own implementation or a commercial provider like NordVPN.
We’ll use yay to install strongSwan:
2. Configuration⌗
1. ipsec/swanctl⌗
Example
ipsec.conf
with username and password (NordVPN uses a different approach, see below):Here’s how the configuration translates to
swanctl.conf
(on your machine: /etc/swanctl/swanctl.conf
or similar):Don’t forget to replace the
Replace
remote_addr
with the real server name.Replace
<your-username>
and <your-password>
, too.Here’s another example configuration where we use a username and certifictate instead of username/password in the
ipsec.conf
(NordVPN):For
etc/swanctl/swanctl.conf
:2. Constraints Plugin⌗
Mysql_escape_string mysqli. You might also want to disable the constraints plugin:
Make sure that your strongSwan basic configuration respects that setting (
/etc/strongswan.conf
):3. Get Certificates⌗
Your local machine needs a certificate for the VPN server.
With NordVPN you have to download their certificate:
With other providers it might suffice to link the standard OpenSSL certificates with the IPSec certs:
4. Restart strongSwan⌗
strongSwan has a systemd script:
You can also enable the script for starting strongSwan on boot:
You can use the tool via the
swanctl
command line utility. For example:Example:
5. Test Connection⌗
In your browser, go to ipleak.net.
Further Reading⌗
NordVPN - Guide for Restricted Countries (IOS Version)
Modified on: Mon, 11 May, 2020 at 9:42 PM
In order to connect to our servers from countries with internet restrictions, please follow the steps below:
1. Download the NordVPN IKEv2 certificate to your device. To do that, open this link in Safari:
2. The installation screen will appear. Tap Install in each of the steps:
3. Once the certificate is installed, tap Done to complete the installation.
3.1. For iOS 12.2 version and above, after you download the certificate, you might see a pop-up saying: 'Profile downloaded - Review the profile in Settings app if you want to install it.'
3.2. Go to your iOS Settings -> Profile Downloaded -> NordVPN Root CA -> Install -> Trust.
If you cannot see the Profile Downloaded option, go to Settings -> General -> Profiles. You should find the profile downloaded there.
4. Open Settings -> General -> VPN.
5. Tap Add VPN Configuration.
6. Fill the following boxes accordingly:
Type: IKEv2
Description: Any preferred name for the VPN connection
Keuka lake wineries by boat. Server: server IP from the list below
Remote ID: server hostname from the list below
Local ID: Leave empty
User Authentication: Username
Username: Your NordVPN account username
Password: Your NordVPN account password
Proxy: Off
IP list:
Afterward, tap Done.
Nordvpn Ikev2 Ios Free
7. Go back to the Settings menu of the device and tap the switch next to VPN to turn on the VPN.
Nordvpn Manual Ikev2 Ios
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